Hometown Cafe - Subic Bay — Restaurant in Olongapo

Ohemgee. This place is the kind you'd want to gatekeep but we would love for them to stay in business forever so come at least once in your life (and then keep coming because we know you will). Everything we tried was just phenomenal. You'd see, and taste, the intentionality in the way they make everything--from their lively flavor-packed salad (with crunchy enoki mushrooms), their wonderfully balanced and delicate pastries, to their everyday breakfast selection. They season their fries with salt and lemon pepper, giving it extra vibrance. Their baba ganoush was so light it was almost foamy--very smart. Their chili honey is made with carolina reaper. Heck, even their mustard was so wonderfully made with hints of parmesan, it's not your usual mustard at all. I don't think we've raved about dips and sauces this much in a review but this is just a testament to how thoughtful they craft every item they put on your plate. And that's just the food they serve. The beverages are a whole new level of yumminess. Best dirty horchata we've ever had--creamy (not watered down), cinnamony, the espresso shot was a punch. Their Ube Latte, even with no simple sugar, was so creamy and gritty, it tasted like ice cream with ube halaya. We asked the owner (who was so hands on and involved) to sell these by the liter, or even by the jug, so we can bring them home every time 🥹. They were that good. It's unfortunate we only had 1 stomach as we would have tried their entire beverage selection if we could. But don't just take our word for it. They don't get the highest Google ratings for nothing. Do we recommend this place? 1000% YES Are we going back? Can we do it tomorrow? And then the day after? And then the day...

Hometown cafe is definitely worth the drive! Its great ambiance and cozy interior adds up to the experience of their coffee. It feels like you’re having a coffee at your home kitchen, especially at their bar table. They also have a wide selections of drinks. Not your usual menu in a coffee shop especially for non-coffee drinkers. But there’s nothing to worry about trying them out because they have very accommodating and friendly baristas. Very knowledgeable as well about their drinks and their recommendations won’t fail you! I also love how they treat their customers. They don’t just serve you great tasting drink but they build relationship as well which I think is good. It adds up to the overall experience and homie feels to it. Everyone is connected because of coffee! Naks!

Here’s my 5 picks from their menu: Flat white - My go to drink in coffee shops. I had it in iced and yay for me because some coffee shops only serve it hot Iced Spanish Latte - Not a fan of sweetened coffees but will definitely buy again when i get back Matcha - MUST TRY! First impression: its very creamy and I love it!! Dirty Horchata - MUST TRY!! Very refreshing coffee. This would be my go to morning coffee. Must must must try!!!! Blue Pea Tarragon Lemonade - MUST TRY!! Not your usual lemonade. Very refreshing non-coffee drink. A cup of it won’t be enough.

PS. Not a fan of sweets but their cookie is a must have!! I didn’t realize that I was eating a lot already! Lol. Will definitely go back to try their other drinks and their cookie is great for...

We discovered about Hometown Café early this year. Since then, my friends and I have been yearning to pay them a visit. And just this weekend, we finally did!!! Travelled from Cavite to Olongapo to have their best-selling items.

• Drinks: We had their horchata in two forms — Iced Dirty Horchata and Horchata Affogato. Their Breakfast Club coffee beans complimented very well on their horchata base. I kid you not when I say that their version is the best one we've had so far out of the many cups we've tried out there!!! The bomb ✨ We got the refreshing Berry Basil Fizz seasonal drink as well. Definitely a must have on sunny days!

• Food: Ube and Matcha madeleines were luscious!!! Flavours were very distinct yet doesn't overpower the sweetness. A must-try!

• Place: Minimalist interior + natural sun-lit area + feel-good playlist + warm conversations with their baristas + a pet-friendly café = a homey, cozy vibe! We even unconsciously stayed there for 4 hours on our second day 🙈

• Overall experience: It was worth the travel! Will certainly come back anytime this year. Looking forward to the store's expansion to accommodate more people 🤗 I am glad to have found a café that I may now call "home away...